Chelsea are weakened by the absence of Joao Pedro once more as they battle Liverpool tonight in a huge Carabao Cup fourth-round clash.

The Blues were forced to face Tottenham at the weekend without their star striker, and will do so again in each of the next few matches.

“He [Joao Pedro] has an injury of his thigh and he is going to be out for a few weeks,” Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso said on Tuesday. “Let’s see how many. We don’t want to predict on that, but he is not ready for the next games.”

Alonso experimented against Tottenham with Morgan Rogers deployed up front, but that did not work. He is expected to name a strong side as he chases a much-needed win at former home Anfield this evening.

Estevao remains on the bench, with Welbeck leading the line from Morgan Rogers, Pedro Neto and Jordan Henderson.

There is no change in goal. Alonso has thrown his support behind Mike Penders in spite of the awful error he made against Spurs, and, with usual No1 Emi Martinez still out with a broken jaw, he will keep his place.

Moises Caicedo will start again in midfield, with Romeo Lavia coming in to partner him.

Pep Chavarria misses out again through injury, with Malo Gusto and Josh Acheampong taking up space on the flanks. Wesley Fofana can come in to freshen up the back three.

Cole Palmer serves a one-match suspension after his sending off for two bookable offences in the late collapse against Tottenham.

Penders; Acheampong, Lacroix, Fofana; Gusto, Lavia, Caicedo, Henderson; Rogers, Neto; Welbeck

Sharman-Lowe, Colwill, Suboloye, Palestra, Barco, Nicoll-Jazuli, Estevao, Quenda, Emegha

Chavarria, Joao Pedro, James, Martinez, Gittens

Time and date: 8pm BST on Wednesday October 28, 2026

How to watch: ITV and Sky Sports

Liverpool 11/10, Chelsea 2/1, Draw 3/1 (odds from top UK bookmakers)